6 Month Old Refusing Bottle

I have a "baby" who is now 19 months old. She was nursed exclusively until she was 4 1/2 months old and then demanded more food. Since I waited too late to introduce the bottle, she never took a bottle. Supplementing with formula in a bottle was not an option. Even though I still nursed her, my daughter got MOST of her calories from the time she was 4 1/2 months until 9 months from cereals, veggies, and stage 1, 2, and 3 foods. My daughter always remained in the 90th percentile. In her 9th month my daughter took a sippy cup and drank soy formula from 9 months until the end of her 12 month. I think every baby and situation is different. I think larger babies need more food than smaller and average size babies. YOU know your baby the best. :)

I agree with what most are saying here. My 6 month old is going through the same thing with nursing. He is so easily distracted and acts like he just isn't interested in nursing, but LOVES to sit in his chair and eat food. They will not starve though... If my David doesn't want to nurse when it's time, I just hold out and distract him with more playing until he's really hungry. Trust me, he'll take a bottle if he's hungry enough.

I breastfed my baby and she never used a bottle. Now you are probably wondering why I am even responding!;) I just wanted to say that I agree with the last lady in that you should give him the milk first and then the food. The formula/breastmilk is the most important right now. After he takes what he should from the bottle then you should feed him his food. On that note I would give him as much food as he wants to eat. Babies know when they are full. They are not like us adults who gorge ourselves because something just tastes too good to stop eating. They know when they are full and won't eat. I thought my little girl ate too much as well and the Dr said she didn't, and gave the advise above. I hope he starts taking the bottle again for your sake. I know that I worry about everything having to do with my little girl, so, I hope you will not.

He still needs the nutrition of a formula. Let him drink from a sippy cup. You can also add the formula to foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal.
He also still needs the closeness with you that breastfeeding would give. Receiving nourishment happens on many levels. Establishing routine times that you sit down with him, with a bottle and give him your undivided attention. Eye contact, cuddles, smiles, songs, sing-songy voice, rocking - all of this feeds his need for love and intimacy. The routine is so important. Not so much the clock time but where it fits in the rest of the flow of the day.
Best wishes for you and your little one!

I had the same problem with my son. The kids basically loves the cereal and his stomch is too full to drink the milk. I had to reduce the anount of cereal so that he would drink enough milk. Milk is the main source of their nutrition till they are 1 yr old. So cut back on the cereal

Not sure what your schedule is.....but I have always read you are to give them their milk first, then their food about 20-30 minutes later. That way they are somewhat satiated by the milk but will eat whatever food they need to get completely full. This has worked for both of my children. Then several hours later start the cycle again (or however often your baby needs to eat). My 8 mo old would probably eat only baby/table food & no milk if she didn't have her milk first, too.

They are supposed to get most of their nutrients from milk until they are 1 yr old. That is when it switches & then they are supposed to get most of their nutrients from other food. Hope this helps!

He really shouldn't be eating that much baby food. Most of his calories and nutrients come from the bottle. only offer him baby food once maybe twice a day, breakfast and/or dinner. Just give him the bottle and if he takes it he takes it, he's not going to starve. Also if he's wanting to see whats going on turn him around and let him watch TV or the things around him while he takes the bottle that should keep his mind occupied enough to get the bottle down him.

Dear C.,

I have about the same advice as these other ladies here. My son went through exactly the same thing at that age. After a couple weeks of worrying me half to death, he went right back to his regular bottle feedings. At that time though, I did begin to incorporate the sippy cup (you know, one of those Nubies (sp?) with the soft spout). He drank from it immediately.

Also, I just glanced at the other entries but didn't see this next bit mentioned: When my Alex starting solid foods, we began giving him a few ounces of water with every meal. They need the liquids especially when you first start giving solids and I found the best way to get him to drink it was during a meal, after every few bites, out of an adult's cup. He absolutely LOVED drinking from a cup like Mommy and Daddy and also, I like to think it taught him to associate drinking water when he's thirsty (because solid foods can seem pretty dry to someone whose whole diet has been liquid up to this point:)